Adipotide
Adipotide (FTPP, fat-targeted proapoptotic peptide)
An experimental peptide that targets the blood supply of white fat, causing dramatic weight loss in primates but with significant kidney toxicity.
Overview
Adipotide is a bipartite experimental peptide that homes to the blood vessels feeding white adipose tissue and triggers their death, cutting off the fat's blood supply. In obese primates it produced roughly 7 to 15% body weight loss in four weeks through a mechanism unlike any approved therapy. Dose-dependent, reversible kidney effects in those studies has been the main barrier to clinical development, and it is not approved.
Mechanism of action
A targeting domain binds prohibitin on fat-tissue blood vessels and a proapoptotic domain disrupts those cells' mitochondria, starving fat depots of blood supply.
Key studies & citations
- Animal2011
A peptidomimetic targeting white fat causes weight loss and improved insulin resistance in obese monkeys
Adipotide induced apoptosis in white-fat blood vessels of obese rhesus monkeys, producing 7.4 to 14.7% weight loss in four weeks with improved insulin resistance; renal proximal tubule changes were dose-dependent and reversible.
Science Translational Medicine - Animal2004
Reversal of obesity by targeted ablation of adipose tissue
Original mouse work: the CKGGRAKDC homing motif binds prohibitin on white-fat vasculature, and coupling it to a proapoptotic peptide ablated fat and reversed obesity.
Nature Medicine
Frequently asked questions
Is adipotide safe or available?
No. It caused kidney toxicity in primate studies and has not entered general clinical use. It is experimental only.